Chiropractic Care for Arthritis Pain in Rochester, NY

Understanding and Managing Arthritis Pain

How Arthritis Affects Your Joints

Arthritis is a group of conditions that cause joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion. Osteoarthritis, one of the most common forms, develops as the cartilage that cushions a joint gradually wears down. Symptoms often show up in the knees, hips, hands, back, and neck, and many people notice stiffness most after sitting still or first thing in the morning.

Because arthritis affects everyone differently, the first step is understanding which joints are involved and how your symptoms affect daily life. A thorough chiropractic evaluation looks at how your spine and joints are moving so your care can focus on the areas that need it most. If arthritis is centered in your neck, our page on neck pain relief covers that care in more detail.

How Chiropractic Care May Help

Chiropractic care can't cure arthritis or reverse joint damage, but it may help some patients manage discomfort and move more easily. Gentle adjustments and soft tissue techniques aim to improve motion in restricted joints, ease tension in the surrounding muscles, and reduce stress on the areas that hurt. For a closer look at how chiropractic care fits into managing arthritis, read Can Chiropractic Care Help Relieve Arthritis Pain?

For many patients, adjustments are combined with supportive therapies. K-Laser therapy uses therapeutic light energy that may help calm inflammation and joint discomfort, and StemWave therapy uses acoustic waves to support the body's natural healing response. Because diet can also play a role in how your body handles inflammation, some patients add nutrition counseling to their plan.

What to Expect at Your Visit

Your first visit starts with a thorough evaluation: your health history, a physical exam, and imaging if needed. We'll talk about which joints are affected, what makes your symptoms better or worse, and what you'd like to get back to doing. From there, we build a treatment plan that fits your condition and your comfort level.

Care is gentle and adjusted to you, which matters when joints are sensitive. Depending on your needs, we may also recommend therapeutic exercises to help you stay mobile between visits.

Why Choose Gerlach Chiropractic?

Gerlach Chiropractic is a proud, family-owned, third-generation practice. Dr. Michael Gerlach trained at Logan University College of Chiropractic, and Dr. John Gerlach has been in practice since 1983 and holds a Diplomate in Chiropractic Orthopedics. Together they bring decades of combined experience and a compassionate, whole-person approach to care, recognized with a 2025 Rochester Community Choice Award.

Arthritis looks different for every patient, so we never take a one-size-fits-all approach. Whether you're dealing with stiff knees, sore hands, or an achy back, we'll create a plan designed around you.